Guatemala 2011

Arriving just in time for the sunset over the most inspiring Lake Atitlan	The face of the Mayan God created by the volcanoes surrounding this immense lake
		The Lake still magical, impressive as always.
Markets of St Pedro. Though the village has grown, the local markets at the centre of town above the hill still stayed the same as I remembered in 2000. Warm and kind people living as a real community should.
Time tends to stand still here. An immense clear water lake surrounded by volcanoes. Villages surround the lake maintaining their local traditions. Sadly with commercialism comes pollution, the cutting down of even more trees, increase in construction and an increase in the number of evangelist. They give with one hand and take twice as much with the other. In 2010, there were many floods and the lake raised by 4 metres. A green algae appeared which gave the locals a rash.
Locals
	Local Art
Worm Busters Distributing worm tablets to a local high school and remote farms. They cost 36 cents and they need two a year. Their lives are worth than less than 80c. Inexcusable in today's society don't you think? All that aside they are the most generous, and kind people. They are rich in so many ways. What they lack can easily be fixed with a few dollars. Real communities.

2011 Mayan New Year Ceremony

Year of the Jaguar

To my surprise they needed a permit to conduct their ceremony. Hard to believe considering this is 2011. This is their land and that they were here thousands of years before white man yet they are been discriminated. The ceremony itself takes several days to prepare. There are seven women shamans who are in charge of the preparations. There is an alter with offerings of the first crops are made. The first corn, seeds, flowers etc. The ceremony starts with prayers as the offerings are placed on the ground in a circle . There are candles placed, representing the 4 colours of the human race. Red, Black, Yellow and White. Finally ,the sacrifice of the turkey. Blood flowing over the ground alter. This is where all the offerings are placed in a circle with the four directions. The turkey is than cooked for all to share. The alter on the floor is lit followed by music and dancing. The party continues through the night as food is shared and corn alcohol is drunk.